Adelie Penguin vs King Penguin
A side-by-side comparison of the Adelie Penguin and King Penguin, covering size, weight, habitat, diet, conservation status, and lifespan.
Adelie Penguin
King Penguin
Size Comparison
Adelie Penguin
46-71 cm
3.6-6 kg
King Penguin
85-95 cm
11-16 kg
| Feature | Adelie Penguin | King Penguin |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Scientific Name | Pygoscelis adeliae | Aptenodytes patagonicus |
| Height | 46-71 cm | 85-95 cm |
| Weight | 3.6-6 kg | 11-16 kg |
| Lifespan | 10-20 years | 25-30 years |
| Population | ~7,580,000 pairs | ~2,230,000 pairs |
| Diet | Krill, Fish, Squid | Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans |
| Habitat | Antarctic coastline, Rocky shores | Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines |
| Regions | Antarctica, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands | South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island |
| Genus | Pygoscelis | Aptenodytes |
Conservation Status
Adelie Penguin
Least ConcernKing Penguin
Least ConcernScientific Name
Adelie Penguin
Pygoscelis adeliae
King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonicus
Height
Adelie Penguin
46-71 cm
King Penguin
85-95 cm
Weight
Adelie Penguin
3.6-6 kg
King Penguin
11-16 kg
Lifespan
Adelie Penguin
10-20 years
King Penguin
25-30 years
Population
Adelie Penguin
~7,580,000 pairs
King Penguin
~2,230,000 pairs
Diet
Adelie Penguin
Krill, Fish, Squid
King Penguin
Lanternfish, Squid, Small crustaceans
Habitat
Adelie Penguin
Antarctic coastline, Rocky shores
King Penguin
Sub-Antarctic islands, Rocky coastlines
Regions
Adelie Penguin
Antarctica, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands
King Penguin
South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island
Genus
Adelie Penguin
Pygoscelis
King Penguin
Aptenodytes
About Each Species
Adelie Penguin
Small, highly abundant Antarctic penguins recognized by their distinctive white eye rings. Adélies are one of only two penguin species on the Antarctic mainland and serve as key indicator species for ecosystem health.
Learn more about Adelie PenguinKing Penguin
The second-largest penguin species, King Penguins form some of the largest and densest seabird colonies on Earth, with striking orange and yellow markings and an unusually long 14–16 month breeding cycle.
Learn more about King PenguinFrequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Adelie Penguin or King Penguin?
The King Penguin is larger, standing up to 95cm tall compared to the Adelie Penguin's 71cm.
Which is more endangered, Adelie Penguin or King Penguin?
The Adelie Penguin is classified as "Least Concern" while the King Penguin is "Least Concern".
Do Adelie Penguins and King Penguins live in the same area?
Adelie Penguins are found in Antarctica, South Shetland Islands, South Orkney Islands. King Penguins are found in South Georgia, Falkland Islands, Crozet Islands, Kerguelen Islands, Macquarie Island.